When I visited Pakistan, I saw peoples when hear the name of Prophet in Adhaan and at Aqaamat, they kiss their thumbs and than touch it to their eyes. When I asked, one of them said by doing this, your eyes never will be effected by any disease.

One of the many many made up things that people practice in the name of Islam. Just like raising your hands to pray after namaz. Namaz is itself supposed to be a prayer of the highest and most intimate kind. But we'll wait till we're done with it and then pray for our needs after.

Some people say that at the time of Azaan, it is Haraam to kiss the nails of the thumbs when the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is uttered.

The Ahle Sunnah Wal Jama'at believes that it is permissible to read the Durood Shareef and kiss the thumbs upon hearing the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) during the Azaan.

The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, "Whosoever has touched the name Muhammad with his hands, then kissed his hand with his lips and rubbed it on his eyes, then he sill see Allah Ta'ala just as the righteous ones see and my intercession will be close to him even though he is a sinner." (An Nawafi ul Atri'aa)

In Jannat, when Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) desired to meet the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), then Allah Ta'ala sent Wahi (revelation) to him, "From your generation, he will become apparent in the later years". Then Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) desired from Allah Ta�ala to meet the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Allah Ta�ala showed him the Noor of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) on the Shahadat finger of his right hand. The Noor recited the Tasbeeh of Allah Ta'ala. It is for this reason that this finger is known as the Kalima finger. Allah Ta'ala showed the beauty of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) on both the thumbnails of Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) like a mirror. Then, Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) kissed both his thumbnails and turned them over his eyes.

Thus, this Sunnah of Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) became consistent in his descendants. When Hazrat Jibraeel Ameen (alaihis salaam) informed Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) of this, he said, "That person, who when hearing my name in Azaan, kisses his thumb nails and turns it over his eyes, he shall never go blind." (Tafseer Roohul Bayaan)

Sayyiduna Imam Hassan (radi Allahu anhu) said, "Whosoever hears the Mu'azzin say 'Ash Hadu Ana Muhammadur Rasoolullah' and says, 'Marhaba bi Habibi' and 'Quratu Aini Muhammad bin Abdullah' and then kisses both thumbs and keeps it on his eyes, then he will never become blind and his eyes will never be sore." (Maqaaside Husna)

It is desirable after (hearing) the first Shahaadah of Azaan, to say: "Sallal laahu alaika Ya Rasoolallah" and after hearing the second Shahaadah, to say "Qur'ratu Aini bika Ya Rasoolallah". You should then kiss the nails of your thumb and place them on the eyes and say: "Allahuma Mati'ni bis Sam'i Wal Basari" then the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) will take such persons behind him into Jannah. (Shaami Shareef)

In another Kitaab it is stated that both the thumbs of the hands should be kissed and rubbed on the eyes and when the Mu�azzin says: "Ash hadu Ana Muhammadur Rasoolulah" then say, "Ash Hadu Ana Muhammadan Abduhu wa Rasooluhu Raditu billahi Rabban Wa bi Islami Deenan wa Muhammadin Nabbiyan". (Tahtaawi Shareef)

From these discussions it can be affirmed that kissing the thumbs and touching them with the eyes at the time of Azaan is Mustahab. It is the practice (Sunnah) of Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam), Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (radi Allahu anhu) and others. The scholars of the Shari�ah (Fuqaha), Ahadith (Muhaddiseen) and the Knowledge of the Quran (Mufassireen) all are in agreement with this issue.

This practice carries multiple benefits, some of which are:

The man who acts upon this practices and maintains it as a regular habit shall not suffer any disease or pain in his eyes.

Insha Allah, he shall not become blind at any stage of his life.

For a person who suffers from any ailment in his eyes, he should adopt this practice as a cure of his ailment. It is hoped his eyes shall become normal and healthy once again.

The person who constantly adopts this act of goodness showing his deep regard and veneration for the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) shall be blessed and honoured with his Shafa�at on the Day of Judgment and he shall be included in the rows of the followers of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

I am a tree, Fatimah is its branch, Ali is its flower, Hassan and Hussain are its fruit and the lovers of the people of the house are its leaves. All of them will be in Paradise. This is the truth, this is the truth. '' - The Beloved Holy Prophet ( SAWW )

I'm assuming that there's no solid evidence behind it because otherwise people of other nationalities would practice it as well, and I haven't noticed it in anyone but Pakistanis.
I don't see the point in looking down on those who do though, they do it in love, so let them. Their intention is not to hurt anyone or to do anything wrong, they do so in respect and love of Prophet Muhammad pbuh, Allah see's what's in their hearts, not whether they raise their hands a certain way or not.
My opinion.
I wouldn't believe things about diseases etc, sometimes old wives stories can be quite creative, like satan pees on your head when you don't wear a hijab. Seriously?

I'm assuming that there's no solid evidence behind it because otherwise people of other nationalities would practice it as well, and I haven't noticed it in anyone but Pakistanis.
I don't see the point in looking down on those who do though, they do it in love, so let them. Their intention is not to hurt anyone or to do anything wrong, they do so in respect and love of Prophet Muhammad pbuh, Allah see's what's in their hearts, not whether they raise their hands a certain way or not.
My opinion.I wouldn't believe things about diseases etc, sometimes old wives stories can be quite creative, like satan pees on your head when you don't wear a hijab. Seriously?

I'm assuming that there's no solid evidence behind it because otherwise people of other nationalities would practice it as well, and I haven't noticed it in anyone but Pakistanis.

This is against merit. Don't fall for nationality. There are lots of crap in Arabic speaking countries in the name of ijtihaad. Just because they speak the same language as of Quran's, doesn't automatically gives them edge. And its against the spirit of Islam as well (check sermon of Prophet SAW at Hajj).

The merit should be, if something is not in Quran and not found in sahi hadeeth or common practice in the time of Prophet SAW and Sahaba, then its probably a made up thing. Do it or don't do it, there is no ajar/gunah. Wallah O Alam.

What I am pissed at is, people from a specific sect is questioned about these things, they come up with a long list of proof, all pointing to the books of some writers/scholars. But never a word from Hadeeth. How can they even think that a Muslim will believe in it without investigating how this thing got into that book or the head of the writer.

It is time, we have to start looking at our deeds and questions ourselves without any bias of any sect. Our heart will give us answer if the thing we are doing is right or wrong or has any basis in Islam. I totally reject things that my forefathers have been doing for centuries, but I can't find any reference from Prophet or Sahaba. No matter how attractive it may sound. After all Islam is all about obyeing Allah and Prophet SAW, as long as a person is doing that and not harming others in any way, is doing a great job in this time and era. Kissing thumb could be so dear to some, and I respect it, because they are told false stories. But will I do it after finding the fact, despite my forefathers have been doing it? NO! Because it will not increase or decrease my Imaan or love for Prophet SAW. Its just a ritual someone thought was cool.

When I visited Pakistan, I saw peoples when hear the name of Prophet in Adhaan and at Aqaamat, they kiss their thumbs and than touch it to their eyes. When I asked, one of them said by doing this, your eyes never will be effected by any disease.

Is it true? Please discuss.

From what I know, when one hears name of Prophet (SAW) one should read darood, kiss thumb nails and then touch eyes with those thumb nails. This is old practice amongst Muslims.

What is the reason for this practice?

Story (according to what I remember) is that, when Adam (AS) was created and first time opened his eyes, he saw ‘La-ilaha illallah Muhammad-ur-Rasul Allah’ written above in sky. So, Adam (AS) asked Allah about whose name was next to Allah's name. Allah told Adam (AS) that name is of his beloved ‘Noor’ whom Allah created years before Allah created anything and that it is due to love of this ‘Noor’ Allah created other things. Allah also told Adam (AS) that one day this ‘Noor’ would be born as descendent of Adam (AS).

Adam (AS) asked Allah to give this writing on his thumb nails. So, Allah gave that writing on the thumb nails of Adam (AS), such that on one thumb nail of Adam (AS) it was written ‘La-ilaha illallah’ and on the other thumb nail it was written ‘Muhammad-ur-Rasul Allah’. Once Adam (AS) received this writing, in show of his love and affection towards Prophet (SAW), Adam (AS) kissed his both thumb nails and touched his eyes with those thumb nails. And thus, when Muslims do that, they also show their love and affection towards Prophet (SAW) and follow the sunnat of Adam (AS).

Even though this practice amongst Muslim is very old, I saw this story also mentioned in ‘Gospel of Barnabas’. It is claimed that this gospel in Italian language is preserved in Vienna library. Anyhow, I read the book published by Aisha-Bawany waqf who claims that the book they published is translation of ‘Gospel of Barnabas’ held at Vienna Library.

[Note: Gospel of Barnabas was unknown until recently. Gospel was published by Aisha Bawany trust in 70s, but practice of kissing thumb nails and touching eyes with them is very old practice amongst Muslims]

According to your theory then we should believe everything in the Qassas ul Anbiya as well.

I thought, we need to follow Prophet and Sahaba's tradition, not something mentioned in earlier book. That too a controversial version.
Ask yourself, your heart, what it says.

I only know, if it was that authentic, Prophet SAW must have taught it to the Sahaba and they would have been practicing it. But they didn't. Clear as day light. Isn't it.

Brother, did I write anywhere that what I am putting down ‘is my theory’?

As for ‘Qasas-ul-Ambiya’ and ‘Gospel of Barnabas’ is concerned, both are different. ‘Qasas-ul-Ambiya’ is human creation with the help of stories about Prophets plus possibly other religious personalities, told by prophets or obtained from various sources. As for ‘Gospel of Barnabas’ it is considered divine book (‘Ingeel’ or ‘part of Ingeel’).

Nevertheless, I did not based what I wrote on ‘Gospel of Barnabas’, as I clearly mentioned that this book first came in market around 70s and practice of ‘kissing thumb nails and touching eyes with them’ is going on since ages.

Note: In its current form, only Muslims consider Gospel of Barnabas as divine, but Christians deny that. I only used ‘Gospel of Barnabas’ as second reference (first being traditional practice amongst Muslims).

Now coming to the topic again: You wrote that if such story was true than it must have been mentioned in earlier books (I believe you mean hadith books). My question is why you have such assumption? Is there any basis for it?

My argument is that, since it is traditionally practiced, it must have come from somewhere and that could be Prophet (SAW) himself, but maybe not, who knows? We have no way to find out everything what Prophet (SAW) said and did. We cannot just rely on books written 200 years after death of Prophet (SAW) as true or even complete. What I believe is that, many things mentioned in these books are concocted, many things are true, and many things left out. So, there is no guarantee and all possibilities are there. Anyhow, you have every right to reject what many Muslim may believe, that is, such acts (kissing thumb nails and touching eyes with them) may have link to Adam (AS).

But ... there is no denial that it is built-in (inherent) practice of human that whoever we love and with ‘whomever or whatever’ we have affection, we kiss them, hug them, and consider their importance above our eyes by touching them or their name with our eyes. Thus, kissing and touching with our eyes is old human built-in (inherent) practice for showing love and affection.

So, even if you do not consider that it is sunnat of Adam (AS), you have to accept that when Muslims do that ... assume that name of Allah and Rasul-Allah is written on their thumbs nail, and then with that assumption they kiss their thumb nails and touch their eyes with it ... is just a show of their love and affection towards Prophet (SAW).

In my view, there is nothing wrong with showing love and affection towards Prophet (SAW) in whatever way one like to show it, especially ways inherent amongst human to show such love. No doubt different person may show their love and affection differently, but only person who would object such show of affection by another person (or persons) is the one who have no love and affection with Prophet (SAW).

[Same way people who immensely love Prophet (SAW) remember Prophet (SAW) every day of the week, and especially on anniversary day of Prophet (SAW) birth. On anniversary day they make special effort to remember Prophet (SAW) and celebrate that day as Eid-e-Milad-ul-Nabi. All what they do is their manifestation of love and affection towards Prophet (SAW).

But those who have built-in grudge with Prophet (SAW) hate people showing their love and affection towards Prophet (SAW) and thus could not even keep quite but become actively upset when they see such love and affection by others on birth of Prophet (SAW).]

I have heard and read quotes that claim they are from Hadith regarding this practice being a sunnah from Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddique (RA), now if this Hadith proves true then there is no basis to diss this practice, even if it is dhaeef or from an unfamiliar Hadith collection. We need to understand that the sahih sitta are not the only Hadith out there. It is also not valid inference to conclude that a practice is wrong purely because one set of people are doing it and others not. What must be determined is if there is a basis for it.

Being a Deobandi by fiqh, I do not practice this, but since the majority of my fellow Shadhilis are Barelvis they do it. They neither criticise me for not doing it nor I them for doing it. I actually like this practice personally ... It is quite beautiful.